FINAL Version – due 11.1

Open Letter to the New York Times

dkrule

Open Letter to the New York Times

 

Dear New York Times,

Where are the women? The journalism profession has been overwhelmingly dominated by men as long as it has existed.  As the second biggest newspaper in the country with almost 10 million readers (not to mention the endless quoting and partial reprinting in other publications), it is time for you to take action.  How is it that 69 percent of the articles that you publish are written by men? How is it that women make up two thirds of journalism graduates but men make up two thirds of newsrooms? Women in journalism go to the same schools as men, get the same grades, but have to yell twice as loud just to be heard. Not only that, but the stories that women do end up getting published are more likely to be health and lifestyle, whereas their male counterparts are more likely to get articles published on crime, justice, and world politics.

Women’s opinions matter. Out of your thirteen regular op-ed columnists, only two are women.  Women make up 52 percent of New York City and 48.6 percent of its workforce, and your paper doesn’t reflect that.  To expand your readership to the next generation, you need to pay more attention to your internal structure.  The readership of the future will want to hear stories from diverse groups.  Women’s perspectives and stories need to be told and women need to tell them.

Diversity of thought is necessary for articles to resonate.  Take, for instance, your Frugal Traveler column.  He travels the world on a tight budget, often suggesting staying in hostels and walking around cities at night.  This column, however, is irrelevant to half of the population because it is written without the fear of sexual violence or kidnapping.  He has written about China alone 52 times, the country with the highest rate of human trafficking.  And no offense to the author, but it simply is not possible for a man to truly look through the lens of a woman’s life.  As your very own columnist, Charles M. Blow, says, “a personally lived experience is a far cry from a passively learned experience.”  Even if a man knew every woman’s story, it would still not be the same thing as a woman telling her own story.

As a newspaper, I assume you want to publish powerful pieces.  Empathetic people will write those emotion-inducing stories and, as has been proven by multiple studies, women are more empathetic.  Whether that is nature or nurture can be debated, but it yields the same result: women care more about other people.  In a world where human rights issues are becoming more and more abundant, don’t you want people who will care?

A woman has to be the best of the best to be hired over some mediocre man.  You can’t tell me that the two-thirds of men on your workforce are all high performing go-getters.  Of course you have to be good to work at the New York Times, but why is it that a woman has to be great?  In a study done by McKinsey&Company, gender balanced companies were shown to perform 15 percent better financially.  You should be actively trying to change your corporate dynamic for the good of your company.  You need to make sure your staff understands their own biases when hiring.  Take, for instance, a recent Yale study that showed a significant bias in hiring.  When professors were given identical resumes, one with the name John and one with the name Jennifer, they most often chose John over Jennifer, as well as offered him a higher starting salary.  The results of this study provide one example of why educating hiring managers about their own bias is critical.  What many successful businesses also do is hire consultants specifically to find and hire diverse candidates.  They search for talent across the country, and sometimes the world, to find a diverse group of great people.  You need to stop resting on your laurels, waiting for people to come to you.  You need to go out and find the many incredible women that work in journalism and actively recruit them.

If you have to fire some of those mediocre men to make room for those women, so be it.

It’s a matter of your own survival.

 

Good luck,

DK Rule

 

Sources

http://www.nyc.gov/html/ceo/downloads/pdf/gender-briefs-report.pdf

https://publiceditor.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/12/still-talking-about-it-where-are-the-women/

https://www.nytimes.com/column/frugal-traveler?action=click&contentCollection=travel&region=navbar&module=collectionsnav&pagetype=sectionfront&pgtype=sectionfront

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19476221

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/06/a-fascinating-map-of-the-worst-countries-for-modern-slavery/277037/

https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/10/29/opinion/checking-my-male-privilege.html

https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/why-diversity-matters

Open Letter Final Draft – Shyann C.

shyc99

Open Letter to the owner of BRONX ZOO

 

Dear Tracy Morgan,

As a child, I dreamt of working with animals in college. I even attended the Urban Assembly School for Wildlife Conservation (an institution from which you often hire your employees) located 15 minutes from your Zoo, 2011 – 2013. Being from the hood, to put it frankly, my friends and I used our school -identification cards to get into the zoo for free on any day. We truly did love the animals and how much they mimicked us (or rather us them). But those blissful trips soon ended after high school. Without a job and a good reason for our parents, no one was willing to pay the elevating prices. Six years ago, admission to the Zoo was a mere 11 dollars give or take, mainly because for the attractions, such as the carousel, an extra 2 dollars per ride was to be paid. Now, the price is 20 dollars and 5 for the extra experiences, well the only real “experiences”. On top of this, there is an additional 15 -dollar fee when you pass the entry line. So, in total, excluding the likely 30 dollars on those extra rides, 40 bucks to enter a damned zoo?  And no food allowed in the park, so jacked up prices inside to eat? You bet.

Animals hibernate, right? So as a reasonable person, I wonder: why do the prices stay so high when half of the animals aren’t available to be seen? Where’s the compromise? The Bronx Zoo’s revenue for 2016 was approximately 1 billion dollars, which is amazing for the animals (not all of the money goes to them and most of your employees make 9-13 dollars an hour) but what about the people who live there? It’s a tourist attraction after all, so why not have community events? Why not have more accessible discounts?

While many would argue that the money goes to the zoo, Mr. Morgan you are a very wealthy man with a net worth of 50 million dollars. I am sure you can afford to make the zoo experience more accessible to minorities (such as yourself). The zoo is yours so now and you have the power to make a difference. Prove that not all stars are the same.

This is America though. We have a choice not to go to the zoo. We can miss out on the opportunities, say no to our kids. But wouldn’t you agree that the expensiveness should be backed by safety? To know that my potential 100 bucks aren’t going to be a dreaded memory. Too many animals – dangerous ones- escape every year. Defunct elevators. Poor instructions by employees. Come on! Besides the adults, many of your consumers are children who do not get the protections they should. I’m not saying to wrap the place in bubble wrap, but more child safety would be appropriate. The water where the dolphins are could easily be invaded by a curious toddler. The trails make it easy to get stranded. If you make so much money, why not make it a safer experience? Give the people their money’s worth.

And so, while your love for animals is greatly appreciated, your greed and policies (food) are not. You are located in the South Bronx where almost everyone is in poverty. Where it is inexpensive because businesses know how to compromise. Why do kids have to miss out because it’s not even free for them? Free Wednesdays sound great until you realize one day out of seven translates to a traffic storm where no one actually enjoys the “experience”.

Thank you for reading,

Shyann A. Cooks

Open Letter Final Draft

Frankie Morel

Dear Staff of Ripley’s Believe It or Not,

I have always wanted to go to your attraction in Times Square, since I first heard about it in middle school. However, I have never had the time to. Things that are keeping me from going to Ripley’s are the price of the tickets, which are way too expensive, especially for a single person, and some of the exhibits and artifacts are outdated, even though I heard there is about five hundred something exhibits and artifacts in there. However, I am not really concerned about those two. My biggest concern is the fact that since it is located smack down in the middle of Times Square and has two floors, it may not be possible to fill a lot of people. That is the main change that I want to see. Although I am writing this letter to you guys, I am also advocating for all the people that have never had a single chance in their lives to go to Ripley’s, including me.

Two years ago, I went to Times Square to watch a movie with some friends. We were just walking around the neighborhood until we see people crowding around the entrance of Ripley’s. We checked the prices of the tickets, and we saw that the cost of one ticket alone is under twenty-four dollars, which is definitely not worth it. That is probably because it is considered a museum, so the tickets are supposed to be expensive. However, a lot of people cannot afford to pay twenty-four dollars for our own ticket, especially if they really want to go in

As mentioned before, the price of the tickets is the least of my worries. I am mostly worried about why it is such a small museum placed in the middle of Times Square. If you guys think this through, the museum is only two floors, so it can be very challenging to put a lot of people inside. Since there are so many people and tourists that want to go to Ripley’s, they would end up making a long line, and they would have to wait for their turns to see all the exhibits and artifacts inside. I might be crazy, but I really think it would be better if you guys moved to another location, perhaps somewhere where you can make a bigger space and put more exhibits and artifacts. If you think about it, look at the Liberty Science Center and how humongous it is. It can fit a lot of people, and its exhibits are very engaging at the same time. Therefore, I suggest that you guys can build a large place like the Liberty Science Center. That way, you guys are able to fit more people in.

Now, I know that you may not agree with me on this. You guys might think that you do not have enough money to move to a new location because not only will the money go towards construction, but also bringing in more exhibits and artifacts for people to see. However, because you guys have been catching the attention of many people and tourists around the city, doesn’t it make sense to move Ripley’s to a new location with more space? Of course, I am not demanding you to get a bigger space. Yet, this is just something that I suggest for the near future.

In conclusion, I just feel like Ripley’s needs to get bigger, and this is a major change that you guys should make to the museum if you want to attract more people, not just the tourists. Do not get me wrong, Ripley’s is a fun attraction to go to when we are not busy. However, it needs to be better and more engaging.

 

Sincerely,

Franklin Morel

Sources:

Experience

https://www.yelp.com/biz/ripleys-believe-it-or-not-time-square-new-york

Open Letter to Broadway

sarahumstadt99

Dear Financial Employees of Broadway,

As a frequent playgoer and avid Broadway fan, I am writing on behalf of the larger community who find themselves unable to attend a show because of the exorbitant prices of tickets. The productions on your stages prove to be icons for all of New York City.  They are world renowned and widely considered a must see or a must do within someone’s lifetime.  It is truly a shame that the ticket prices have skyrocketed, because the amount of people who could benefit from the lessons and messages that soar off your stages is tremendous.

As for the endless benefits that seeing a Broadway production has, there are countless examples.  Some include “On Your Feet”, which was the musical production of lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and this show had tremendous value to the Latino community, the immigrant community, and it had an incredibly powerful political message as well. One of the most pivotal moments in the play was when Emilio and Gloria attempt to become cross over artists and end up being denied by their record label for being “too Latin.”  At this moment, Emilio defies the record label, and explains his story of coming to America from Cuba.  He explains that he is a citizen, and that he deserves every opportunity that he is willing to work toward; he says “look at my face, whether you know it or not, this is what an American looks like” (Dinelaris).  This show brought the fact that immigrants are the one making America what it is today, and people who come from somewhere else but have made this country their home, are Americans and they have ambition, drive, and dedication.  This show resonated with every person in the audience, and taught crucial lessons.  Along with this, there are important messages in countless other productions.  “Hamilton”, which tells the story of Alexander Hamilton in colonial America, tells the audience that through hard work, any goal can be achieved, no matter the obstacles.  “Dear Evan Hansen” inspires adolescents to be who they truly are, and to never be afraid to stand up for what they believe in, and these are just some of the countless examples of incredibly profound stories across the Broadway stages today.

However, the price of tickets for these productions have skyrocketed to levels that are nearly completely unattainable for many people.  Higher levels of attendance, combined with high levels of tourist and the ever-increasing cost of production of these magnificent events is contributing to the highest ticket prices that the city has seen in years. In fact, “theatergoers in New York forked over an average of $103.88 per ticket” (Ng), which is nearly six percent higher than the previous peak price. With prices this steep, how is it possible for people to see the shows that would inspire them, resonate with them, and foster a love for music and theater.

Since the theatre has so many values for almost every person with a desire to see a show, various options should be implemented so that Broadway can become more accessible.  There number of rush tickets with student discount should be increased, since the prices of these tickets are slightly cheaper and people who live and work in Manhattan have a relatively easier time getting to the theatre during rush hours. An adult ticket should also come with the opportunity to bring one child under the age of twelve for free or highly reduced prices, so that younger people can attend shows that have pertinent messages and begin to develop a love and appreciation for music and theatre. Lastly, I believe that prices for ticket packages should be heavily reduced.  Some of my most cherished high school memories were trips with the school band to see Broadway shows, however, this past school year they were unable to find a show with reasonable group ticket prices.  Adolescents and students should have the most access to the lessons, messages and overall impact that a Broadway production has and one of the best ways to truly glean all of these is to attend a show with peers and educators.  Group ticket prices should be lowered to facilitate the ability for more schools to attend the productions.

To conclude, the theatre that is up to the caliber of Broadway has endless value to every person who sees a show, but the sharp increase in average ticket price is making it nearly impossible for the general public to seethe shows that would give so much back to them.  I believe that certain measures, such as lower group ticket rates, the addition of a free of reduced price child ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket, and an increase in morning rush tickets would increase the availability of the value of theatre to many more people.  This would create endless benefits for every community inside and outside of New York City.

 

Sources:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-broadway-ticket-prices-20140610-story.html

 

https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/broadway-tickets-expensive/

An Open Letter to NYC Museums

mirilieber

Dear NYC Museums,

Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved to visit museums with my family. When my parents had off from work, we would make our trek into the city, with destinations such at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Museum of Natural History in mind. And why not? Even though we live out in Long Island, the infinite artistic wealth of knowledge and creativity displayed in these museums are just a train ride away, readily available, many even free of charge. My mother would whip up a quick lunch, and we’d head out to the city after eating. The trip was about an hour or two, but by the time we got there, it always felt like longer. There was always that anticipation build-up, and I never had great time perception as a kid.

What I did notice, though, was that we would only spent a few short hours at the museum, which was barely enough time to scratch the surface of the place. It wasn’t because we wanted to leave, I could have wandered around aimlessly for hours, even as a kid. But alas, as soon as meal time rolled around, so did our departure.  We would leave the museum, and then begin our hunt for affordable Kosher restaurants nearby.

You see, I am an Orthodox Jew. My family, along with other Jewish families, only eat food that is clearly labeled as “Kosher”. According to Jewish law, Jews can only eat foods fitting certain requirements. Food that is served in the cafeterias in NYC museums do not meet these specific regulations, therefore Jews are not allowed to consume any of it.

The problem isn’t that Kosher food is unavailable in museum cafeterias. It would be unfair to expect that non-Jewish people not partake in the foods that they enjoy, especially with us Jews being a minority group in such a culturally diverse city. I’m not bothered at all by the cafeterias, and don’t believe that museums are responsible to cater to each individual’s dietary restrictions. The real issue, in my opinion, is the policy forbidding outside food from entering NYC museums.

On the FAQ page of the American Museum of Natural History’s website, they say that while no outside food is allowed to be brought into the museum, the food court has “food for every taste”. This statement is simply false, as my religious beliefs prohibit me and my family from consuming anything substantial in their cafeteria.

I do understand that the cafeterias are a large source of income for museums, and that a change in policy would definitely impact the food court’s revenue. Families may decide to skip the heavily overpriced food, and instead pack with them. Bringing food, though, is a major inconvenience to whoever gets stuck carrying it, especially if they are planning on spending multiple hours exploring the museum itself. I would like to argue that even if the outside food ban were to be lifted, people would still be purchasing their meals from the cafeterias. Nobody would voluntarily drag around a bag weighed down with food for multiple hours unless it would be of necessity, whether that necessity be religious or even financial.

Just this past winter, my family was planning on spending a day off at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. We left early in the morning in order to maximize our time at the museum, because if you’ve ever been to the MET, you’d know that it’s impossible to cover even a fraction of its exhibits in one visit. We decided to pack sandwiches, hide them in our bags, and hope for the best. We arrived at the entrance just as the museum was opening its doors, and jumped in line with the other visitors. Upon reaching security, they shuffled our bags around, and found our lunches. My father explained that we kept Kosher, and there was no other food fit for us to eat inside of the museum. The security guard wasn’t budging, and gave us two options- either to throw the food in the trash, or eat it outside.

We ate our lunch on the steps outside that day, in the freezing cold, at 10am. And then left the museum just a few short hours later.

Miri Lieber